Wooden houses on the banks of the Norwegian fjord, beautiful mountain landscape in winter
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Summer travel gets all the press—but as it turns out, there are a lot of travelers who prefer getting away during the winter months. In fact, a new study by European ferry operator DFDS found that searches for “winter holidays” have increased by over 300% over the past month while 63% of travelers experience overcrowding at popular winter hotspots.
In response to the growing number of wintertime holidaymakers, DFDS analyzed the best lesser-visited towns and cities in Europe that will allow travelers to enjoy the splendor of winter travel without the crowds.
The study looked at a combination of search data and over twenty years of weather data (including where you’re most likely to find a white Christmas!) across hundreds of European towns and cities in order to find the snowiest and least-known destinations.
Here are the most underrated European destinations that were made for winter-loving travelers:
Ålesund, Norway
The most underrated destination was Ålesund, Norway, which saw an average of 59 snow days in winter and only 50 monthly Google searches. This made the Norwegian town an ideal escape if you’re looking for something snow-covered rather than, you know, tourist-covered. The port town is also known for its gorgeous art nouveau architectural style and of course its gorgeous fjords and inlets.
Kristiansand, Norway
The Otra, the largest river in the Sørlandet region, picture made in Kristiansand
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The second Norwegian town on the list, Kristiansand is best known as a summertime destination thanks to its stunning beaches. It gets a whole lot less tourists come wintertime but winter lovers should note that the town receives over 37 days of snowfall in the winter and looks absolutely breathtaking with a blanket of snow on top of its traditional wooden houses and neo-Gothic architecture.
Jūrmala, Latvia
Jūrmala in Latvia receives just 70 monthly Google searches and sees about 45 days of snowfall in the winter months. It might be best known for its summertime seaside villas but the coastline also makes for the perfect winter getaway for those looking for somewhere quiet and serene to appreciate the snow.
Košice, Slovakia
Holiday cityscape – view of the Christmas Market in the center of Kosice, Slovakia.
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Despite being the largest city in eastern Slovakia, Košice is still a widely unknown winter destination. The city sees an average of 33 days of snowfall in the winter months with just 70 monthly Google searches on average. The city dates back to the medieval period and boasts two stunning Gothic churches that look dream-like under a blanket of snow.
Freiburg, Germany
Freiburg, Germany earned the fifth spot as the most underrated European destination to visit in the winter months. It sees an average of 25 days of snowfall and just 70 monthly Google searches. Freiburg is surrounded by highlands which makes it an excellent hiking destination, even in the winter, thanks to its temperate climate.
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Publish date : 2024-10-25 11:02:00
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